Q: Will I be able to purchase an Indy 500 shirt on the interweb? I would gladly make the purchase to help off set the costs of putting on the race sans fans in the stands. I would not mind if it had the May date on there, either. I don’t really understand why the drag race at IRP was able to allow fans but the Speedway is not. Maybe nitromethane kills the virus better than ethanol does. Have you attended any of the drag races held in you home state recently?
Bob from Boston
RM: Yep, go to brickyard.com. Drag racing was limited to 1,000 people the way I recall it, but none of the politicians seemed concerned or interested. No, I haven’t been to a race all year.
Q: In the ’70s, during the halcyon days of Trans Am, a friend once said to me that Parnelli Jones was a better road racer than Mark Donohue. I thought a valid argument could be made for that. Later, I read an interview with Al Unser (Sr.), in which he echoed that assertion. He followed up by saying that Parnelli was a better road racer than Jackie Stewart. That made me scoff. I’m bringing all this up because, comparisons aside, Parnelli performed eminently, in sports cars and pony cars on road courses. That’s always made me wonder why he was not part of the Ford GT program, as were his Champ Car colleagues Foyt and McCluskey; particularly given his ties to Ford. Do you have any explanation for this enigma?
Anthony Valdettaro, Indianapolis
RM: Colin Chapman offered Parnelli a seat at Lotus as Jimmy Clark’s teammate under orders, but Rufus declined: “I’m nobody’s B driver.” He then told Bones Bourcier in the book Well Yes I Am Parnelli Jones that Ford made him an offer to drive the sports cars, but he declined because he couldn’t finish two-hour races – let alone 24.
Parnelli (pictured during the 1967 Can-Am Challenge Cup race at Riverside) had some serious road racing chops. Motorsport Images
Q: The REV Group doubleheader at Road America was great. I don’t know if you saw the August 2nd IMSA race at RA, but Sunday’s rain really added to the excitement. If Roger needs a couple more races, another IndyCar doubleheader in October at Road America would be great. And RA has proved it can handle race events during this pandemic. October weather would be chancy (hot, humid, cold, rain maybe even snow) and definitely no cockpit heat problems! If it’s season-ending, use The American Club for a socially-distanced banquet. Can RA deliver another crowd for a late new event schedule? You saw the crowd turnout in 2016 for the IndyCar testing session for its return to RA. Plus, make is a little more exciting, throw in a few variables. Give every car 165 millibar of race boost; no limit on fuel; extra set of race tires; 300 seconds of push-to-pass that adds another 150 hp. Of course, I’d have to diet again to prep for a daily dose of brats and beer, but well worth the effort.
Tom Nelson, Somers, WI
RM: You might get another race in 2020, but you won’t get any of those other requests. I imagine R.P. is considering Iowa and Road America if he’s got to replace two or three races, but all quiet right now.
Q: Now that the big college football conferences are postponing their seasons until next year, do you foresee the possibility of IndyCar’s season being expanded to Saturday races into warmer states (like Florida, California, etc.) since there won’t be a big TV sports presence?
Jake, Somewhere East of Eden
RM: Considering the COVID-19 situation in California and Florida and the fact IndyCar wants to stay in the Midwest, no chance. And there will be a TV presence when the NFL goes to Saturday/Sunday and college football figures out some kind of round robin league.
Q: People say you can’t schedule races against college football. Well the Big 10 and Pac 12 just said they are not going to play, and it may be the other three Power Five will have to follow along. Do you see any changes to the schedule as at least some college football will not happen? I know if is probably way too late, but maybe?
Tom in Waco
RM: Depending on what happens with Mid-Ohio and St. Pete there could be changes, for sure, but it won’t be because of the lack of college football.
Q: Do so miss you on NBCSN Gold broadcasts! Given the story on the aeroscreen success at Iowa, how did Will Power’s wheel pose a risk? I know there was a problem in the pits, but what happened to wheel tethers to prevent runaway wheel/tires? Who could best drive an IndyCar with the handling of a garden tractor?
Pat C.
RM: Not sure I follow you, but it was either Colton Herta or Rinus Veekay’s wheel that sailed over Will’s cockpit at Iowa, and wheel tethers can only handle so much impact. Rufus, A.J., Mario and Gurney would be my choices.
Q: Has there ever been anyone that had a career sadly go downhill as that of Roberto Guerrero? Man, I watch the old races, and then after the crash in 1987 he was just not the same. Did everyone think that way?
Jeff Edwards
RM: He made a helluva comeback and damn near won Phoenix in 1988, was on the pole at Indy in 1992 and was still competitive for several more seasons despite not having the best rides. That test crash at Indy affected him, but he didn’t decline that much until his IRL days when he seemed to crash a lot.
Q: Enjoyed your article ‘A heroic near-miss’. What a front row in 1970! At the time A.J. was the only former winner, but ultimately 11 victories came from that front row. Since I don’t think AJ, Al and Mears ever lined up together in front row (or did they?), there cannot be any with more wins. Do you know of any that come close to that? Also, since this is 50th anniversary of Al’s first victory it seems IMS could do more to recognize this year since he is four-time winner. I realize 2020 is way out of normal, but I don’t remember anything planned pre-COVID, either.
Roger Arthur
RM: That’s the most wins from the front row, you are correct. Mario, Mears and A.J. comprised the front row in 1991 and they combined for nine Indy wins, so I think that’s second. IMS was going to honor Big Al before the country shut down.
Q: I would love to hear your opinion on Jim Clark. It seems to be he gets short shrift whenever conversations occur about the greatest F1 drivers and the greatest drivers of all. I think Clark is the greatest F1 driver of all time. He died at 32 and already had two world championships, an Indy 500 victory and held the record for the most F1 wins and poles. Given that F1 has doubled the number of yearly races it holds and has completely changed the point system, I think the current records don’t give the true measure of the driver. Also he trails only Fangio and Ascari in percentage of races won; with all due respect to those great rivers, the field in the ’50s was filled with playboys and rich amateurs, unlike when Clark drove. Finally, Clark started only five Indy 500s, arguably the most difficult and dangerous race of all. In those five starts, he finished first once and second twice. Unmatched! Did I make a case? And thank for your column. I look forward to it every week!
Bob Isabella
RM: He had the instant respect of A.J. and Parnelli at Indianapolis, and Dan Gurney always championed his ability so that’s a good start. Clark didn’t have to crash people like Senna or Schumacher, and that sets him above them for me. I think Clark and Jackie Stewart were as good as anybody – then and now.
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